During the French Revolution, the Minister to France, went to see the the leaders of the government. Three French agents, publicly known as X, Y, and Z told the Minister and his group that the only way that they could see Tallyran (the leader of France) is if they paid a bribe of 50,000 francs, a $10 million dollar loan to France, a $250,000 personal bribe to Tallyran and a formal apology from US President John Adams for comments he made. The United States was offended and traded almost exclusively with England because of it.
XYZ Affair
During the French Revolution, the Minister to France, went to see the the leaders of the government. Three French agents, publicly known as X, Y, and Z told the Minister and his group that the only way that they could see Tallyran (the leader of France) is if they paid a bribe of 50,000 francs, a $10 million dollar loan to France, a $250,000 personal bribe to Tallyran and a formal apology from US President John Adams for comments he made. The United States was offended and traded almost exclusively with England because of it.
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